Reasons for suicide amongst the Guarani-Kaiowa analyzed

The lack of land and the extremely poor life conditions are the
principal causes for suicide amongst the Kaiowa and Nandeva subgroups
of the Guarani Indians in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul according to
a book published by the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI) in late
December. It is entitled Why are the Guarani and the Kaiowa
committing suicide. The book treats of the living conditions of
the Indians in question. They live on small pieces of land totally
unsuitable for agriculture and are forced to work in nearby sugar-cane
plantations to survive. They earn very low salaries and frequently
spend long periods away from their families.

244 suicides were recorded in these sub groups during a twelve year
period. 20 cases were recorded during 1997 and 56 during 1995.
During the last two years a decrease in the number of suicides has
been registered.. This according to CIMI, is due to the winning back
by the Indians of areas which formerly belonged to them. During the
last 20 years, 10 areas (a total of 19327 hectares) have been returned
to the Guarani. What this means concretely is shown in four areas
returned to indigenous ownership - Jaguapire, Jarara, Jaguari and
Paraguassu. No suicides have taken place in any of these areas since
they have been returned to Indian ownership.

CIMI shows in its' recently published book that 200 years ago this
indigenous group occupied 25% of the present day State of Mato Grosso
do Sul. Today the 24649 members of the group live in 22 villages and
occupy 1% of the state - an area of 39432 hectares or 1.6 hectares per
Indian. Between 1915 and 1928 the Guarani began to suffer attacks from
settlers who arrived in the area to open ranches. CIMI believes that
it will be possible to eliminate incidences of suicide amongst the
group by demarcation of their traditional area and the recuperation of
their cultural values and manner of living. At the moment the group is
demanding the return of nine areas which formerly belonged to them;
they also demand the expansion of other areas which they currently
occupy.